Coin-controlled mechanism.



H. S. MILLS.

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATIONv FILED AUG.2. I915. 1,190,934. Patented July 11, 1916.

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COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM,

APPLICATIQN FILED AUG.2. I915.

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APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. l9l5.

Patefited July 11, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- "INN IQ; i

H. S. MILLS.

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. 1915. I

' Patented July 11, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 Y J W HERBERT S. MILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORTO MILLS NOVELTY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

' COIN-CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 2, 1915. Serial No. 43,170.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HERBERT S. MILLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at 221 South Green street, Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement inCoin-Controlled Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to improvements incoin-controlled mechanism for operating a movable member in onedirection to perform a certain operation and permit said member toautomatically return to normal position; and my object, generallystated, is to provide a novel, simple and positively operatingconstruction of the character set forth, which may be manufacturedcomparatively economically and which will be reliable in operation. 1

I have devised my invention for use more particularly in aperfume-vending machine wherein the pump for compressing air to besupplied to the atomizers, is operated by my improved mechanism, andtherefore have illustrated it in this connection, though without anyintention of wishing to be understood as limiting it to such use.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View in frontelevation of a coin-controlled perfume-vending machine constructedaccording to my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in rear elevation of themachine shown in Fig. 1, with the back of the casing removed and aportion of the inner partition broken away. Fig. 3 is an enlargedsection taken at the line 3 on Fig. 2, and viewed in the direction ofthe arrow, this view showing the parts of the machine in their normalposition, with a coin deposited in the machine. Fig. 4 is a view likeFig. 3, showing the positions assumed by the parts of the machine afterthe mechanism has been operated and just before the operating lever hasbeen depressed suiiiciently far to release the coin and release thepiston of the air pump. Fig. 5 is a section taken at the line 5 on Fig.4, and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is an enlargedsection of the upper end of one of the similar perfume containers,together with the atomizing mechanism therefor, a portion of the casingof the machine being shown in section. Fig. 7 is a section taken at theline 7 on Fig. 6, and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 is asection taken at the line 8 on Fig. 3, an iewed in the direction of thearrow. Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken at the line 9 on Fig. 2, andviewed in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 10, a section taken atthe line 10 on Fig. 9, and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

The machine illustrated comprises, generally stated, a plurality ofreceptacles 11 for perfume, arranged in the casing 12 of the machine andeach equipped with atomizing means 13, through which'the perfume, fromany one of the several receptacles 11, is sprayed through the front-wallof the machine; air-compressing means 14; coin-controlled mechanism foroperating the air-compressing means; and valve-mechanism 15 connectedwith the air-compressing means and with the several atomizing devices13, and by the manipulationjof which the air from the air-compressor maybe directed through any one of the various perfume-receptacles 11. I

The receptacles 11 may be in the form of bottles, or in any otherdesirable form, and in the construction illustrated, areshown assupported on a false bottom 16, in the casing 12, to be exposed to viewthrough an opening 17 in the front side 18 of the casing, the casing, bypreference, containing a partition 19, located in the rear of thereceptacles 11, and preferably having a mirrored front surface. Theatomizing devices 13 each comprise a tube 20, which fits into the cork21 of the receptacle 11, and opens into the interior of the latter, thetube having a lateral branch 22; a relatively small tube 23, whichextends at its lower end-into the perfume in the receptacle 11, thenceupwardly through thetube 20 and its extension 22, from which it isspaced as shown, the tube 22 terminating in a nipple 24. The nipple 24contains a chamber 25, with which the outer end of the tube section 22communicates through the medium of an opening 26, formed in ablock 27 inthe outer end of this tube, the nipple 24 fitting at its outer reducedend 26 in an opening 27in the front wall 18 of the casing, the outer endof the nipple containing a relatively small aperture 28, it beingunderstood that, by preference, a nipple 24 is provided for cooperationwith each of the receptacles 11. y

A flexible tube 29 connects with the upper end of each tube 20, thetubes 29 being conne te at their outer en s W t p p e ti ns 30,radiating from the casing 31 of the valve 15, which is secured to therear side of the casing-front 18, these pipe sections opening into theinterior of the valve casing 31. The valve proper of the valve device 15is represented at 32, this valve being rotatably mounted in the casing31, and equipped with an operating handle 33, by which it may berotated, the valve 32 containing a port 34, adapted to be moved at oneend into registration with any one of the pipe sections 30. The innerend of the valve 32 connects with a flexible tube 35, which communicateswith the other end of the port 34, this tube being connected at itsother end with a nipple 36, provided on the upper end of the cylinder 37of the air compressing device 14, and containing .an opening 38extending therethrough to connect with the pipe 35, and with theinterior of the cylinder 37 at the upper end of the latter. The cylinder37, which is secured to the inner side of the side wall 39 of thecasing, to be spaced therefrom, by a plate 40, secured to the casingside 39 by screws 41, and carrying a section 42 connected with thecylinder 37, contains a piston 43, the piston rod 44 of which isconnected with a block 45 which slides up and down, with the piston, 43,at its reduced section 46, in a slot 47 provided in a plate 48 securedto the inner side of the side wall 39, the wall 39 being cut away, asrepresented at 49, to permit of such movement, the upper surface of theblock 45 being preferably horizontal and fiat, as represented.

In the operation of the mechanism the piston 43 is pulled downwardly todraw into the cylinder 37 a charge of air to be compressed and forced toone of the receptacles 11, the piston thereafter being released andquickly returning to normal position to compress the charge for thepurpose stated, a spring 50 connected at one end with a lug 51 on thecylinder 37, and at its opposite end with the block 45, being providedfor producing the quick return of the piston.

The following is a description of the coincontrolled mechanism wherebythe operation of the piston 43 is controlled: The lever for operatingthe mechanism is illustrated at 52, this lever being pivoted to thecasing wall, as indicated at 53, and extending at its forward endthrough a slot 52, in the front side 18 of the casing, its outer endbeing equipped with a finger rest 52, whereby it may be readilydepressed by the operator. A second lever 54, pivoted at its forward endto the casing side 39, as represented at 55,

- 66 isconnected with the lever 52 through the medium of a link '56which is pivotally connected with these two levers, as indicated at 57and 58 respectively, whereby when the lever 52 is depressed it will alsodepress the lever 54. The lever 54 is provided, at its outer end, with adog 58, having a straight bottom surface 59 and a curved upper surface60. The dog is pivoted to the lever 54, as indicated at 61, and isadapted to abut, at its forward end, against a pin 62 on the lever 54.The dog 59, in the normal position of the machine, extends above andpartly across the upper surface of the block 45 with which it engageswhen the lever 54 is depressed, for drawing the piston 43 down wardly,the dog 59 being held against rotation in this movement by itsengagement with the pin 62. Slidably confined in bearings 63, providedon the inner surface of thecasing side 39, is a vertically disposedslide 64, which is pivotally connected at its lower end with the lever54, through the medium of a pin 65. A coil spring 66, connected at itsupper end with the upper bearing 63 and at its lower end with the pin65, serves to hold the mechanism, just described, in raised position,Fig. 3, and return it to this position after being fully operated, ashereinafter described. The slide 64 carries two pins 67 and 68, adaptedto co5perate with a rock-member 69, as hereinafter described. Therock-member 69 is formed of a side plate 70, which extends at its rearend across and closely adjacent to the face of the slide 64, a bottomplate 71, an end plate 72 at its upper, forward, edge, anoutwardly-turned lug 73, and a depending car 74, at which latter therock-member 69 is pivotally supported on the casing side 39 by a pin 75.The normal position of the rock-member is that illustrated in Fig. 3,wherein it bears at its lower edge against the pin 68, under the actionof a spring 76, secured at one end, as indicated at 77, to the casingside, and at its opposite end, as indicated at 78, to the rock-member69. The lug 73 is provided for co5peration with the slide 64, whichlatter contains a notch 79 in its forward edge. In the normal positionof the parts, the pin 68 holds the rocl member 69 in the positionillustrated in Fig. 3, wherein the lug 73 extends opposite the notch 79,but forwardly of the front edge of the slide 64.

Secured to the casing side 39 is a plate 80, provided with a flange 81,spaced from the portion 72 of the rock-member 69, as represented inFigs. 3 and 4, the lower end of the flange 81 and the section 72, whenthe rock-member is in the normal position illustrated in Fig. 3, beingspaced apart a distance slightly less than the diameter of the coin tobe used in operating the machine and which is delivered into engagementwith the flange 81 and section 72, by introducing it through a slot 82in the front side 18 of the casing, into a chute 83, in registrationwith said slot.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Assuming the parts of themachine tobe in the normal position represented in dicate from whichreceptacle the perfume will be discharged when the pointer 84 is inregistration with such point, these points being indicated at 85', 86,87 and 88 and having arrows extending therefrom to a position directlyopposite the respective receptacles. The operator then deposits a coin,or other token, of the desired denomination, represented at X, into theslot 82, the coin passing through the chute 83 and dropping into thespace between the flange 81 and section 72 wherein it becomes lodged,(Fig. 3). The operator then presses down on the lever 52, which depresses the lever 54, the dog 59 engaging the block 45 and causing thepiston 43 to descend. The piston 43 continues to descend until the dog59, in its continued downward movement, moves out of engagement with theblock, whereupon the spring 50 forcibly returns the piston 43 i tonormally raised position and in doing so compresses the air which wasdrawn into the cylinder 37 on the downward stroke of the plunger, andforces the air thus compressed through the pipe 35, valve 15 and the oneof the tubes 29-which is in communication with the port 34 of the valve.A portion of the air thus passed through the tube 29 passes down intothe receptacle 11 through the tube 20, and the remaining portion passesthrough the tube 22, discharging through the opening 26 into the chamber25. The effect of thus introducing air into these tubes is to cause theliquid in the receptacle 11 to be forced upwardly into the tube 23 andalso to be drawn from the outer end of the tube 23, by the rush of'air,past the end of the latter, causing the perfume to be atomized andforcing it outwardly, in the form of a spray, through the opening 28.The pin 67 is so arranged that just before the lever 52 reaches thelimit of its downward movement, this pin will ride against an inclinededge of'the rock-member 69 and rotate the latter on itspivot 7 5 in aclockwise direction in Fig. 3, with the result of permitting the coin Xto become released from engagement with the flange 81 and section 72 ofthe rock-member and drop through said rockmember into a chute 90, fromthe lower end of which it discharges into the bottom of the casing.

' In the particular arrangement illustrated, means are provided forpreventingthe return of the lever 52 to normal position, after it hasonce been operated downwardly, after a coin has been inserted into thechute 83, these means comprising a-dog 91, pivotally supported on thecasing side 39, as indicated at 92, and a coil spring 93 connected withone end of the dog and with the pin 77 the other endof the dog being inthe form of a tooth, represented at 94, adapted to'engage the serratededge 95 of the slide 64. A

In the upward movement of the slide 64, after the dog 58 has disengagedfrom the block 45 and the operator has released downward pressure on thelever 52, the pin 68 strikes the lower edge of the rock-member 69,moving the latter to the normal position represented in Fig. 3,preparatory to receiving another coin, the dog 58', in the upwardmovement of the lever 54, riding at its beveled upper edge 60 againstthe block 45, which causes the dog to ro-' tate on the pivot 61 in ananti-clock-wise direction, in Fig. 3, against the action of a coilspring 96, secured to the dog as represented at 97 and to the lever 54,as represented at 98, the dog 58 springing back to normalposition,'represented in Fig. 3, upondisengaging from said block.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the machine can not beoperated unless a coin of the proper denomination, or other suitabletoken, is deposited-in the slot 82, inasmuch as the slide 64, in itsdownward movement, causes the pin 68 to lower, and unless therock-member 69 is held against rotation in anti-clock-wise direction inFig. 3, asit is when a coin is introduced into the machine, the lug 73will be carried into the notch 79 in the slide 64 and become interlockedtherewith, thus preventing the lowering of the slide 64, and

consequently preventing the operation of 1 the levers 52 and 54. It maybe stated that as soon as the coin X has dropped from the rock-member69, the spring 76 is free to swing the rock-member inthe directionlast-referred to, but this does not affect the movement of the slide 64,inasmuch as the lug 73 bears against the smooth forward edge of thelatter above the notch 79.

While I have illustrated and described a engagingsurface, a third memberhaving a coin-engaging surface, said shiftable-members having portionsadapted to engageand prevent movement of said first-namedmember whensaid second member is in one position, means on said firstsnamed memberfor normally holding said second-named member in position for holding a,cOin between said surfaces and said portions out of engaging position,and means for releasing the coin from said second-named shiftable memberafter said first-named member has moved a predetermined distance.

2. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of a shiftable member,a rock-member having a coin-engaging surface, a third member having acoin-engaging surface, said shiftable member and said' rock-.memberhaving portions adapted to engage and prevent movement of said shiftablemember when said rock-member is in one position, means on said shiftablemember for normally holding said rock-member in position for holding acoinbetween said surfaces and said portions out of engaging position,and means for releasing the coin from said rockmember after saidshiftable member has moved a predetermined distance.

'3. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of anautomatically-returnable shiftable member, a second shiftable membershiftable at an angle to said first-named member and having acoin-engaging surface, a third member having a coin-engaging surface,said shiftable members having portions adapted to engage and preventmovement of said first-named member when said second member is in oneposition, means on said first-named member for normally holding saidsecond member in position for holding a coin between said surfaces andsaid portions out 'of engaging position, means for actuating saidfirst-named member, and means for releasing the coin from saidsecond-named shiftable member after said first-named member has moved apredetermined distance.

4. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of a shiftable member,a second shiftable member shiftable at an angle to said first-namedmember and having a coinengaging surface, a third member having acoin-engaging surface, said shiftable members having porticnsadapted toengage and prevent movement of said first-named member when said secondmember is in one position, means on said first-named member for normallyholding said second-named member in position for holding a coin betweensaid surfaces and said portions out of engaging position, andmeansactuated by said firstsnamed member for shifting said secondnamedmember to a position in which the coin will discharge from the latter.

5. In coin-controlled mechanism, thecombination of a shiftable member, asecond shiftable member shiftable at an angle to said first-named member7 and having a coinengaging surface,a third member having acoin-engaging surface,said shiftable members having portions adapted toengage and prevent movement of said first-named member when said secondmember is in one position, means tending to move saidsecond member intoa position in which said portions engage, means on said first-namedmember operating to normally hold said second member in a position inwhich said portions are out of engagement and in a position for holdinga coin between said surfaces, in opposition to said firstnamed means,and means for releasing the coin from said second member after saidfirstnamed member has moved a predetermined distance.

6. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of a shiftable member,a rock member having a coin-engaging surface, a third member having acoin-engaging surface, said shiftable member and rock-member havingportions adapted to engage and prevent movement of said first-namedmember when said. rock-member is in one position, means tending to movesaid rock-member toa position in which said portions engage, means onsaid first-named member for normally holding said rock-member in position for holding a coin between said surfaces and said portions out ofengaging position, against the action of said first-named means, andmeans actuated by said firstnamed member-for rocking said rock-member toa position for releasing the coin therefrom after said first-namedmember has moved a predetermined distance.

7. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of a longitudinallyreciprocable member, a shiftable member having a coinengaging surface, athird member having a coin-engaging surface. said first two referred tomembers having portions adapted to engage and prevent movement of saidfirst-named member when said second member is in one position, meanstending to rock said second member to a position in which s id portionsengage and the coin-engaging surface on said second member moves towardsaid third member, means on said first named member for normally holdingsaid second member in position for holding a coin between said surfacesand said portions out of engaging position, and means actuated by saidfirst-named member after a predetermined movementthereof, for shiftingsaid second-member to a :position in which the coin therein .willdischarge.

8. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination ofalongitudinally-movable member, 'a rock-member having a coin-engagingsurface, a third member havinga coin-engaging surface, said first tworeferred to members having portions adapted to engage and preventmovement of said first-named member when said rock-member is in oneposition, means tending to rock said rockmember to a position in whichsaid portions engage, and in a direction to move the coinengagingsurface on said rock-member toward said third member, means on saidfirstnamed member operating to normally hold said rock-member in aposition for holding a coin between said surfaces and said portions outof engaging position, and means on said first-named member operatingafter a predetermined movement of the latter to rock said rock-member toa position in which the coin will release therefrom.

9. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of alongitudinally-movable member automatically returnable to normalposition, a rock-member having a coin-engaging surface, a third memberhaving a coin-engaging surface, said first two referred to membershaving portions adapted to engage and prevent movement of saidfirstnamed member when said rock-member is in one position, meanstending to rock said rock-member to a position in which said portionsengage and in a direction for moving the coin-engaging surface on saidrockmember toward said third member, means on said first-named memberoperating to normally hold said rock-member in position for holding acoin between said surfaces and said portions out of engaging position,said rock-member being provided with a cam surface, means on saidfirst-named member adapted, when the latter is actu-' ated, to engagesaid cam surface and rock said rock-member to a position in which thecoin releases therefrom, and means for actuating said first-namedmember.

10. In coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of alongitudinally-movable member carrying projections spaced apart, aspring tending to move said member in one direction, a rock-memberhaving a cam surface and a coin-engaging surface, a third member havinga coin-engaging surface, said first two referred to members havingportions adapted to engage and prevent movement of said first-namedmember when said rock-member is in one position, a

spring tending to move said rock-member to a position in which saidportions engage and in a direction for moving the coin-engaging surfaceon said rock-member toward said third member, one of the projections onsaid first-named member operating to engage said rock-member and hold itin a position against the action of said spring in which said portionsare out of engagement and the coin may be held between said coinengagingsurfaces, and said other projection adapted to rock said rock-member,after 'a predetermined movement of said firstnamed member, to a positionin which the coin releases from said rock-member, and means foractuating said first-named member.

11. In coincontrolled mechanism, the combination of a shiftable member,a second shiftable member shiftable at an angle to the former, a thirdmember having a coinengaging surface, said shiftable members havingportions adapted to engage and prevent movement of said first-namedmember when said second member is in one position, means on saidfirst-named member for normally holding said second-named member inposition for holding a coin between said surfaces and said portions outof engaging position, said second-named member having a cam-surface, andmeans actuated by said first-named shiftable member and engaging saidcam surface for moving said second-named shiftable member to a positionto release the coin therefrom.

12. In coincontrolled mechanism, the combination of a movably-mounted,automatically-returnable member, a lever pivotally supported at itsforward end and adapted, when actuated, to directly engage at its rearend with said member and during such actuation release from the latter,a second lever pivotally supported at its rear end and extending at itsopposite end into a position to be actuated, a link connecting saidlevers together between said pivots to effect rotation of said levers ontheir pivots simultaneously in opposite directions, and coin-controlledmeans controlling the actuation of said levers.

HERBERT S. MILLS.

In presence of E. C. CHALDER, JAMES HoRowrrz.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

